Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right arm pain, including tendonitis and carpel tunnel syndrome, is service-connected.,Service connection for fatigue due to viral infections (EBV) is granted.,Radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to a service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease with lumbar scoliosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, were denied. The evidence did not show the required functional impairment or other criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA medical examination, and readjudicating the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability and determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the earliest effective date for service connection of mood disorder secondary to lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease is January 3, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including right hand, right shoulder, left shoulder, left wrist, neck, and back disabilities, were denied as the evidence did not show a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing cervical spine degenerative disc disease was permanently aggravated by service, and his hiatal hernia had onset during service. Therefore, both conditions are granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability, diagnosed as pinguecula, pterygium, nasal keratectomy scar status post pterygium, dry eye, blepharitis, and conjunctivitis, is related to his active service. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his low back strain disability was denied, and he is also denied a TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for various conditions, but denied them on the merits.

The Board found that the Veteran's back and left knee conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they related to her service-connected right ankle condition. The evidence did not support a finding of secondary service connection for the left knee condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine.,Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his service, specifically his duties as a radio telephone operator in Vietnam. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there is no evidence supporting a nexus between these conditions and his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lumbar radiculopathy is proximately due to his service-connected low back strain and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, lumbosacral strain, and onychomycosis. The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder claim was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher evaluations or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with spondylosis, claimed as back pain, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VA medical opinion addressing whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to service.

The Veteran's increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and its neurologic manifestations have been granted, with a current rating of 20 percent.